Brocolli Cheddar Recipe

Prepare and blanch broccoli

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and blanch for 2 minutes until bright green and just tender. Immediately transfer the broccoli to an ice bath to stop cooking. Drain well and set aside.

Warm the milk

In a small saucepan or the microwave, warm the whole milk until hot but not boiling (about 1–2 minutes). Keep warm while you make the sauce.

Make the cheese sauce

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and cook 20–30 seconds until fragrant (do not brown). Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the butter and garlic and whisk continuously to form a paste (roux). Cook the roux 1–1.5 minutes to remove the raw flour taste, whisking constantly. Gradually whisk in the warmed milk, a little at a time, until smooth and there are no lumps. Continue to cook and whisk until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 3–4 minutes.

Finish the cheddar sauce

Reduce heat to low. Stir in the Dijon mustard, kosher salt, black pepper, and a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg if using. Add the cream cheese (if using) and whisk until melted. Remove the saucepan from heat and add 1 1/2 cups of the grated sharp cheddar, whisking until smooth and fully incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning; if the sauce is too thick, whisk in up to 2 tablespoons of warm milk to reach desired consistency.

Combine broccoli and sauce

Place the drained broccoli in a baking dish or serving bowl. Pour the cheddar sauce over the broccoli and gently toss or spoon to coat the florets evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup grated cheddar over the top.

Prepare topping

If using a crunchy topping, combine the panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, and olive oil in a small bowl, tossing until the crumbs are evenly moistened.

Bake or broil

Preheat the broiler or oven to 425°F (220°C). If baking: sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the sauced broccoli and bake for 8–10 minutes until bubbly and golden. If broiling: place under the broiler for 1–3 minutes, watching carefully, until the topping is crisp and browned.